My Reading List: 2024-2025

It’s that time of year when I recap the books I’ve read and share my reading plans for the upcoming year. Last year, I managed to read 13 books—one more than my original goal. This year, I read 21 books, and I couldn’t be happier. My reading time feels like a mini-retreat—a chance to lose myself and embark on an amazing journey of learning that’s almost indescribable unless you’re an avid reader.

I took this screenshot of My 2024 Books from Goodreads because it beautifully captures all the books I read this year.

This year, I took a few wonderful detours from my reading plan and read some incredible books written by authors in my WordPress community.

I read Finding My Father’s Faith by Wynne Leon, and what a great experience that was! You can read my review here.

Then, I read two novellas by Michele Lee Sefton: Her Coastal Cottage and Honeysuckle Heat. I had such a fantastic time reading Michele’s work—she’s incredibly talented.

Finally, I read Insights by Susana Cabaço and her husband Dimitar. I always look forward to Susana’s weekly posts; her writings never fail to inspire me. Reading her book was a joy, and now I’m savoring it a second time, one page at a time during my quiet moments.

For 2025, I plan to read a minimum of 13 books—hopefully more, depending on how quickly I get through some of the heavier reads on my list.

I’m starting the year with another book by an author from this amazing community. This time, I’ll be reading Surviving Sue by Dr. Vicki Atkinson. You can learn more about her book and read some wonderful reviews here.

After that, I plan to read the following books in this order—though I may take some detours if I come across something compelling along the way. I always trust my gut when it comes to books, so who knows where my journey will take me!

  1. Bittersweet by Susan Cain, author of Quiet, one of my favorite books.
  2. Stoic Foundations: The Cornerstone Works of Stoicism.
  3. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville: “Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-59) came to America in 1831 to see what a great republic was like. What struck him most was the country’s equality of conditions—its democracy. The book he wrote upon his return to France, Democracy in America, is both the best ever written on democracy and the best ever written on America. It remains the most often-quoted book about the United States, not only because it has something to interest and please everyone, but also because it has something to teach everyone.” — Amazon
  4. 1984 by George Orwell.
  5. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
  6. Doctrine Matters by John Piper.
  7. John Adams (Volumes I and II) by Page Smith: “John Adams by Page Smith was the first comprehensive biography of Adams written once the second president’s personal papers became widely available.”1
  8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
  9. Everyone Who is Gone is Here by Jonathan Blitzer.
  10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
  11. Tyranny of the Minority by Steven Levitsky.
  12. The Hardest Job in the World by John Dickerson: “In this eye-opening book, John Dickerson writes about presidents in history such as Washington, Lincoln, FDR, and Eisenhower, and in contemporary times, from LBJ and Reagan and Bush, Obama, and Trump, to show how a complex job has been done. He explores why we need to reevaluate how we view the presidency, how we choose our presidents, and what we expect from them once they are in office.” — Amazon

I recently realized that I’ve been using the same bookmark for over 26 years! I picked it up in Puerto Rico during my first book fair. It features a quote from a poem by Federico García Lorca:

"I would leave in this book

all my soul.

This book that has seen

the landscapes with me

and lived sacred hours.

Oh, the sorrow of books

that fill our hands

with roses and stars

and slowly pass away!"

My amazing bookmark, which I have been using since 1998.

Well, this is my last post of the year. I’ll be taking a little break and will return to posting the week of January 6–10. I’ll still be reading comments and responding as much as I can.

Happy New Year, my friends! May the new year bring you countless blessings and peace.

  1. https://bestpresidentialbios.com/2013/02/18/review-of-john-adams-by-page-smith/ ↩︎

55 thoughts on “My Reading List: 2024-2025”

  2. I like the variety of genres that you read, and how you support the WP community authors, Edward. I have not read El viento conoce mi nombre by Isabel Allende. I will look it up. I look forward to discussions about the books for this year!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Rebecca. It was excellent, and I cried a few times. The story is about the separation of children during WWII and our current situation at the southern border. She did an awesome job combining the two stories.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  5. Thank you for your kind words on my blog, Edward!

    I absolutely love that you took the time to read books by people in the word press community and then write about them. That is such a wonderful way that we can support each other!

    I hope your New Year is off to a good start!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. Great list, Brother 📚. I see a few books I’ll have to check out. I’ll also have to work extra hard to get one of my books on that list next year (haha) 💪📖. Happy New Year, Brother. 🎉

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  7. Hi, Ed. I added three books to my “to read in 2025” list. I started my list several days ago from the books I already have. My choices off your list have added to my budget. (I still prefer hard copies.) Evicted, Insights: Spiritual Empowerment for the Human Journey, and Writing and Being are added to my list. Thank you for sharing. Love my writing community!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Sandra. Yes 🙌🏼 to hard copies! I tried an e-reader a few years ago, but it didn’t feel the same. I love hard copies and usually keep the ones I plan to revisit; the rest I donate to the local library or place in the community book box. I hope you enjoy those books as much as I did. Happy New Year!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  13. Love this post! From the way you present your books, your book review, books for 2025, to your bookmark! I loved seeing the book on John Adams on your list. I’ve read David McCullough’s book on John Adams twice. Such an interesting President. Thanks!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Donna. That bookmark has traveled the world (both figuratively and literally) with me. I was debating between McCullough and Page Smith, but I heard so many good things about Smith’s book that I decided to go with him. Happy New Year, and thank you for reading my blog this year.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Brad. I’m trying to add more fiction to my reading list to give my brain a little break, but learning about the causes of our current problems and why we fail to learn from the past fascinates me. I hope you have a wonderful New Year celebration and that 2025 brings you many blessings and more great books.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  17. What an impressive reading list, Edward! And besides reading, you also post great book reviews! It’s quite something! And I am grateful to be here, being updated on all of that! Thank you so much for your good words on our book, Insights. Greatly appreciated! Love your bookmarker; very soulful, as it is typical for Iberian languages. And I am pretty sure you will surpass your book read plan for 2025! I wish you a 2025 full of light, peace, love, joy, health, wealth, and blessings! Happy New Year, my friend!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  19. Nice list, Edward! I’m gonna have to read some of these! I loved 1984. Hope you enjoy it. Your list reminds me I also need to take more time to read some books 😆 thanks for sharing 🙏 ☕️ ☕️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  21. Impressive reading pace! Inspiring and I appreciate your reviews and learning about books written by fellow bloggers. I am honored to be included in your book selections. Thank you very much, Edward. Cain’s second book is on my growing list. 📚

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  22. A couple of years ago, I set a goal to read as many of the classics as I could each winter here in south Texas. I’ve completed four that are on your list and a few other classics not on your list. When I need a break from some of the heavier ones, I enjoy autobiographies and historical fiction. Thanks for sharing your list, Edward and happy reading!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  23. You are one prolific reader, Edward! I love the recap of your year in reading…wow! And…thank you so much for putting “Surviving Sue” on your TBR list. I’m honored! All the best…and Happy New Year to you, too! 🥰

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  24. What a fantastic list of books, Edward, that you have read and plan to read in the New Year! I plan to read, Surviving Sue too!
    I loved John Adams, the mini series with Paul Giamatti. So, I bet those books will be amazing!
    I have at least 12 books in progress currently that I plan to finish reading in 2025. Happy New Year!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. You’re welcome, Liz. I watched an interview with John Dickerson about the book, and the discussion got me interested in it. You’re right—it’s a very important book for our current moment, and I hope it’s a good one. Thank you, and Happy New Year!

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

Leave a comment